Love at first listen is a rare occurrence, especially if, like me, you're a self-proclaimed picky listener. It takes a while to really become smitten with any artist. Those that win me over instantly usually bring something new to the table, reinvigorating music at their given time, and in those moments I can see myself revisiting their songs for years to come. Madison, WI-based indie-pop band PHOX shows every sign of being the rare act that fits that bill; newest single “1936” is the type of song that makes you fall in love all at once. Dreamy and sweet, the swiftly picked guitar intro draws listeners into the richness that awaits in Monica Martin's soulful vocal tones, woven through multiple layers of guitars and strings, supported by very calculated percussion and bass. Every instrument shines on this track at very specific moments in the song, from the to the precise and succinct sounds of the percussion in the chorus and the thick bass thudding through the whimsy of the bridge, to the intricate guitar breaks after each verse that thread the whole thing together. With the playful banjo that spices things up about a minute in, and the xylophonic sounds coming from the melding of the various guitar tones playing with each other, the lush instrumentation carries Martin’s voice through the enigmatic, oft-repeated line her blood is our blood too, I know. Though it feels lighthearted throughout, “1936” centers on coming to terms with our genetic makeup - a family disturbance turned into an understanding of how to navigate one’s familial predispositions. That's a pretty complex topic to cover in only three and a half minutes, but PHOX accomplishes the task with poetically crafted lyrics and a very evocative chorus. PHOX releases their debut full-length on June 24 through Partisan Records, and if you know what’s good for your soul, you should definitely give this group a listen. They're on tour the rest of the summer - see when they're stopping in your city below.

Tue Jun 24, 2014 - Omaha NE - The Waiting Room

Wed Jun 25, 2014 - Kansas City MO - Riot Room

Fri Jun 27, 2014 - Austin TX - Stubb's BBQ (Indoor)

Sat Jun 28, 2014 - Dallas TX - Three Links

Mon Jun 30, 2014 - Scottsdale AZ - The Western

Tue Jul 01, 2014 - Los Angeles CA - The Echo

Thu Jul 03, 2014 - San Francisco CA - The Chapel

Sat Jul 05, 2014 - Portland OR - Mississippi Studios

Sun Jul 06, 2014 - Seattle WA - The Crocodile

Tue Jul 08, 2014 - Salt Lake City UT - The State Room

Wed Jul 09, 2014 - Denver CO - Hi Dive

Fri Jul 11, 2014 - St. Louis MO - Duck Room at Blueberry Hill

Sat Jul 12, 2014 - Champaign IL - Mariposa Music Fest

Sun Jul 13, 2014 - Nashville TN - The High Watt

Tue Jul 15, 2014 - Birmingham AL - The Bottletree

Thu Jul 17, 2014 - Asheville NC - Grey Eagle

Fri Jul 18, 2014 - Chapel Hill NC - Local 506

Sat Jul 19, 2014 - Washington DC - The Hamilton

Mon Jul 21, 2014 - Philadelphia PA - Boot & Saddle

Tue Jul 22, 2014 - Brooklyn NY - Knitting Factory

Wed Jul 23, 2014 - New York NY - Mercury Lounge

Fri Jul 25, 2014 - Newport RI - Newport Folk Festival

Sat Jul 26, 2014 - North Bennington VT - The Vermont Arts Exchange

Mon Jul 28, 2014 - Montreal QC - Casa Del Popolo

Tue Jul 29, 2014 - Toronto ON - The Drake

Thu Jul 31, 2014 - Cleveland Heights OH - Grog Shop

Fri Aug 01, 2014 - Detroit MI - Magic Stick Lounge

Sun Aug 03, 2014 - Green Bay WI - Meyer Theatre w/ San Fermin

Mon Aug 04, 2014 - Minneapolis MN - 7th St. Entry

Wed Aug 06, 2014 - Milwaukee WI - Turner Hall

Thu Aug 07, 2014 - Madison WI - High Noon Saloon

Fri Aug 08, 2014 - Madison WI - High Noon Saloon - SOLD OUT

Sat Aug 09, 2014 - Chicago IL - Lincoln Hall

TRACK REVIEWPHOX "1936"